Abstract

Understanding farmer household and community management of crop diversity is necessary in order to effectively strengthen the local plant genetic resources management system in Vietnam. Assessment and management for distribution of farmer s cultivars of rice, taro and tropical tree species were conducted in four different agro-ecological zones in Vietnam using participatory approaches, focus surveys, diversity fairs, agro-morphological field trials, isozyme analysis to understand why Vietnamese farmers grow diverse types of these crop cultivars, when and where these crops cultivars are grown and how farmers maintain and use them. Results showed significant differences in the extent, distribution and use pattern crop cultivars diversity in contrasting environments and between community farmer households. Seed system is an important role in the access and use of diversity in eco-geographical regions.